Calling all ghosts and ghouls, wizards and werewolves, skeletons and spiders: October 29 is Reach for Resources, Inc.’s 15th annual Ghostly Gala. Reach for Resources, a Minnetonka-based nonprofit that supports individuals with special needs, partners with the City of Brooklyn Park to put on the spooktacular event every year at the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center. In the big gym, gala-goers can play carnival games with a Halloween spin and get tickets for pizza. The dance will be held in the Grandview Room, where volunteer DJs Joe and Hannah VanThomme spin the hits, sure to make even the undead boogie down.
The gala also has a costume contest, complete with a costume parade. Categories include best gal, best guy and best couple costume. Emily Miller, director of adaptive recreation and inclusion, says last year’s winners were Lord Voldemort from Harry Potter and a salt-and-pepper couple costume.
Miller says that last year’s Ghostly Gala drew 183 people. “It was bigger than it’s ever been and we’re hoping to keep it growing and keep serving more people,” she says.
Reach’s mission is to support individuals with disabilities and mental illness achieve their full potential by providing individualized services that maximize community independence and promote community involvement. Miller’s department provides adaptive and inclusive recreation opportunities for kids and adults, and all the proceeds from the Ghostly Gala go straight back into this programming.
Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online or the night of the event. Miller recommends getting tickets in advance to make night-of registration go quickly. Visit the website here to learn more.
